Pedestrian accidents

Eighteen percent of forklift accidents occur when a walking employee or other pedestrian is struck by a lift, according to Construction-injuries.com.

How can they be prevented? A report from Yale Materials Handling Corp. notes that the best way is to separate forklift and pedestrian traffic to the greatest extent possible. Facilities can use travel lanes for forklifts and pedestrians marked with paint on the floor or separated by physical barriers. Limitations may also be placed on travel areas for forklifts to keep them away from high density pedestrian traffic, such as near break rooms or time clocks.

Workplace rules for pedestrian safety can also be established, including:

* require forklift operators to sound the horn at intersections
* restrict customers and non-employees from areas where forklifts may be operating
* limit forklift travel speed
* use hi-visibility work clothes or vests for pedestrians
* require pedestrians not to come closer than a predetermined distance from the forklift, even when speaking with an operator